SINGAPORE: Long Queues of Seniors at Provident Fund Branches

SINGAPORE (Channel News Asia), May 9, 2006: Long queues have been snaking outside Singapore's five Central Provident Fund (CPF) Service Centres over the last 10 days. The reason - many senior citizens are there to find out how to withdraw the CPF top-up that comes with the Progress Package. As part of the Progress Package the government is giving out, Singapore citizens aged 50 and above are entitled to a top-up of $100 to $800, which will be deposited directly into their CPF accounts. But a rumour has been going around, leading many elderly Singaporeans to believe they can withdraw the amount in cash as long as they register themselves at the CPF Service Centres. CPF says about 6,500 senior citizens approach it each day. Many say they prefer to go down to the Service Centres in person rather than check the Internet or call the CPF hotlines. But CPF says there is no need to do so as their particulars are already in the system. By Sharon See Channel NewsAsia Copyright © 2006 MCN International Pte Ltd